The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has banned the usage of dichlorvos in food preservation.
Dichloryos is the chemical name of Sniper that is commonly used to preserve not just food items but to eliminate insects and small reptiles in residences.
A statement signed by Resident Media Consultant to NAFDAC, Sayo Akintola on Sunday, said the chemical being used by traders to safeguard food from spoilage is a hazardous practice.
The NAFDAC expressed concerns over the recent viral video showing individuals using dangerous chemicals to preserve beans, stockfish, crayfish and other food items.
“The sale of small volume dichlorvos (100 ml or less), sold as Sniper® has been banned since 2019 while the sale of the large volume (one litre) is limited to certified agrochemicals outlets. NAFDAC underscores the toxicity of dichlorvos to human health, cautioning that its use can have fatal consequences.”
The Director General, NAFDAC, Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye, urged traders and merchants to desist from using unauthorized chemicals on food meant for human consumption.
She said: “The misuse of dichlorvos poses significant risks to human health, manifesting in both short-term and long-term consequences. Long-term exposure can result in severe health implications, including developmental abnormalities in offspring, memory loss, reduced fertility, and potential carcinogenic effects.
These adverse effects highlight the importance of adhering to safety guidelines to mitigate the risks associated with dichlorvos exposure.”
Similarly, the Director of Veterinary Medicine and Applied Products (VMAP), Dr. Rametu Momodu, reiterated that using certain chemicals, especially pesticides, to protect grains and prevent beans from having weevils is not approved.
She explained that there are approved pesticides for use as fumigants, which should be used according to the manufacturer’s specifications on the product label.
She stressed that these products should not be applied directly to food due to their inherent dangers to human health.
